Item - 2017.EX29.36

Prior to the debate on this Item, Mayor Tory welcomed Toronto Council Fire Youth Speaker Tasunke Sugar and the other members of Toronto Council Fire's All Nation Drum, David Pangowish, Josh Smoke and Kevin Myran. Mayor Tory asked Members of Council to rise for a special ceremony.

Tasunke Sugar addressed City Council and thanked the Members for having Toronto Council Fire with them today and conducted an opening prayer.  Tasunke Sugar explained the purpose of the smudge ceremony and Jeffrey Schiffer walked throughout the Council Chamber with the smudge.

Kevin Myran addressed City Council and told the Members about the Family Drum.  The members of Toronto Council Fire, All Nation Drum sang an honour song for City Council.

Following City Council's consideration of the Item, Mayor Tory invited Tasunke Sugar to come forward.  Tasunke Sugar conducted a closing prayer and thanked the Mayor and Members of Council for having Toronto Council Fire be part of this meeting.

The Executive Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council express its support for establishing an Indigenous Affairs Office within the City Manager's Office at the City of Toronto.

2.  City Council refer the new and enhanced request of $0.480 million gross and net for the addition of 4.0 positions to staff the Indigenous Affairs Office and $0.040 million gross and net to retain an external consultant, for a total of $0.520 million gross and net, included in the City Manager's Office 2018 Operating Budget Submission for consideration as part of the 2018 budget process.

3.  City Council request the City Manager to submit funding applications, as appropriate, to federal and provincial governments, to non-profit organizations and to private sector organizations to support the establishment and work of the Indigenous Affairs Office, and authorize the City Manager to enter into such agreements in a form satisfactory to the City Manager and City Solicitor.

4.  City Council, as affirmed by the City's commitment to Aboriginal people to self-determination, direct the City Manager to engage the Aboriginal community on the establishment of an Indigenous Affairs Office at the City of Toronto to ensure that it is designed, developed, and reflective of the Aboriginal community's vision.

The City of Toronto will establish an Indigenous Affairs Office within the City Manager's Office. The Indigenous Affairs Office will report directly to the City Manager, with an administrative reporting relationship to the Director, Equity, Diversity and Human Rights for the purposes of budget, timekeeping and administrative support. In this report, the term 'Indigenous' is used to refer to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

A survey of City divisions indicates several are engaged in initiatives related to Indigenous affairs and a number have staff positions that are assigned to related portfolios. While the City remains committed to embedding responsibility for Indigenous priorities within divisions, the City recognizes the need for a centralized Indigenous Affairs Office in the City Manager's Office to, among other things:

- strengthen the City's relationship with Indigenous communities;

- develop and implement a reconciliation framework/strategy for the City;

 - support City divisions in the development and implementation of reconciliation initiatives and provision of subject matter expertise, including to support conversations with other orders of government;

- assist in the development of Indigenous cultural competency training and related education for the Toronto Public Service;

- support the Aboriginal Affairs Committee;

- track and report on the City's progress in responding to the eight Truth and Reconciliation Priority Calls to Action adopted by the City;

- ensure that the City's work with Indigenous communities is in accordance with the City's Statement of Commitment to the Aboriginal Communities of Toronto;

- promote Indigenous civic participation and inclusion in the City's decision making processes;

- support Indigenous cultural events at the City; and

- secure funding for Indigenous related initiatives.